It was a much needed win for Down – their first from three group games – while Donegal came into this topping the table with two wins from two.
Despite early dominance, Donegal hit three wides and dropped one pointed effort short and it was Down who opened the scoring with a point from Paul McGovern in the ninth minute. The home side continued to grow into the game and midway through the half a quick short pass from Barra McEvoy in the Donegal goalmouth to Darragh Poland saw the latter stroke into the net.
McEvoy added a point to give Down a 1-2 cushion but Donegal fought back on 20 minutes with Colm O’Dochairtaigh swatting into the Down net and Conor McCahill tagging on a point. Down regrouped, however, and finished the half strongly to lead 1-5 to 1-1 at the break.
Donegal once again came out of the blocks quickly in the second half but this time they took their chances with points from Kalvin McLaughlin and a brace from Turlough Carr within the first five minutes to narrow Down’s lead to a point.
But again Down responded superbly with a point and a goal from Liam Blaney either side of another maximum by Poland and a McEvoy free to give them an insurmountable 3-7 to 1-4 lead 15 minutes into the second period and they kept the scoreboard ticking over for a resounding 3-9 to 1-6 victory.
Scorers – Down: D Poland 2-0, L Blaney 1-1, C Ward 0-3, B McEvoy 0-3 (2f), P McGovern and E McCaffrey 0-1 each
Donegal: C O’Dochairtaigh 1-0, Turlough Carr 0-3 (2f), K McLaughlin, C McCahill and A Cunnea 0-1 each
Down: C Travers; S McParland, O Murphy, A McClelland; C Small, J Rogers, F McCaul; D McKernan, L Blaney; C Ward, D Poland, P McGovern; D Carr, B McEvoy, C McGrath
Subs: E McCaffrey for McParland (36), C McGinley for Carr (42), J O’Hagan for Murphy (48), A McCann-Gibbs for McCaul (56), E Convie for Ward (58), D McLogan for McGovern (60+1)
Donegal: P McBride; E Friel, J O’Gribin, C MacAoidh; P Devine, C O’Gallachoir, M Campbell; K McLaughlin, L McGuinness; Turlough Carr, Thomas Carr, E Ban McNeils; C O’Dochairtaigh, P Ward, C McCahill
Subs: E Gallagher for Ban McNeills (36), A Cunnea for Campbell (39), D Boyle for Ward (42), S O’Carroll for McGuinness (50), T McKevitt for Devine (52)
Referee: Diarmuid Boylan (Monaghan)
